Bellator's Brennan Ward shares a powerful message with fans about dealing with addiction
Bellator welterweight fighter Brennan Ward recently shared a powerful message for those struggling with addiction following his victory at Bellator 290 this weekend.
Ward extended his win and finishing streak to three when he defeated Sabah Homasi in the octagon this weekend. The 34-year-old landed a nasty head-kick that dropped Homasi in the second round, with his follow-up punches deemed enough by the referee for the TKO victory.
BRENNAN WARD GETS THE ROUND TWO FINISH IN THIS BANGER #Bellator290 https://t.co/qKZ29EW03P
Following his win, the American spoke to the press where he was asked to send a message to anybody out there that's been struggling with addiction.
Ward himself had his own issues with alcohol and was arrested in 2016 for breach of peace and threatening an officer. 'Irish' later spent 120 days in jail but has since been sober for a number of years.
The Bellator welterweight said:
"Take the step, just do it. Go to detox, get it done and ride that grind out. Going to detox is the easier part, it's those next 6 months to a year. You've just gotta get through it, it's so hard. I know how f***ing hard it is, trust me. Just grind it out, you'll be so happy you grinded it out. It might take you a couple of times, if you trip and fall don't beat yourself up."
"I tried to get clean for 10 years, 10 years until I finally got clean. It's a process and it's the hardest thing I've ever done. Cagefighting is nothing compared to getting clean, nothing, nothing. Take that step, go to detox, go to rehab and grind it out," he added.
Watch Ward's powerful message here:
Brennan Ward gives a message to anyone struggling to get clean https://t.co/N6rISPvWFv
Bellator CEO Scott Coker interested in signing Francis Ngannou
Dana White made headlines last month when he dropped the bombshell that Francis Ngannou had been released from the UFC. 'The Predator' had been pushing for a new contract for some time, but wanted the opportunity to face Tyson Fury in a superfight, with the UFC helping to co-promote.
The UFC president refused and negotiations broke down, resulting in Ngannou reportedly turning down a contract to make him the highest-paid heavyweight in UFC history.
In an interview with Ariel Helwani on The MMA Hour, Coker was asked about the Cameroonian and whether or not he'd be interested in working with him.
The Bellator CEO Said:
“Yeah, we’re definitely going to invite him. I’m not sure what his schedule is like, but we will invite him. More importantly, is when we can sit down and really talk some business and see if there is a fit… Listen, Francis Ngannou would be a great addition to any roster. I think we would be a great fit because you have Showtime Boxing. He could do boxing and he could do MMA with us, so it would be a one-stop shop for him."
Catch Coker's comments here:
Scott Coker talks Francis Ngannou.
#TheMMAHour https://t.co/BO1qE4YBQc